We’ve all been there. You’re 3 miles into a hike and breaking in those new boots, and suddenly you feel it: that specific, burning heat on the back of your heel. Blisters are small, but the pain you feel from your shoe constantly rubbing on them is real. The good news? You don’t have to limp home if we at Syracuse Podiatry tell you how to handle blisters- or prevent them in the first place.

Blister Prevention

The best way to treat a blister is to never get one. Blisters are caused by friction and moisture. If you can control those two things, you win.

First, ditch the cotton socks. We cannot stress this enough. Cotton absorbs sweat and holds it against your skin like a wet rag. Wet skin is soft, weak, and tears easily. Switch to merino wool or synthetic blends that wick moisture away, especially this winter.

Second, lubricate or tape. If you know you have a bony heel or a wonky toe, prep it before you put your shoes on. Use a friction-reducing stick or apply a strip of moleskin or kinesiology tape to high-risk areas. This creates a sacrificial layer where the shoe rubs the tape and not your skin.

To Pop or Not to Pop a Blister?

This is the million-dollar question. You have a blister. It hurts. Do you drain it?

The General Rule: If the foot blister is small and not painful, leave it alone. That bubble is nature’s perfect sterile bandage. The fluid cushions the raw nerve endings underneath, and the skin on top keeps bacteria out.

The Exception: If the blister is massive, tense, or in a spot where it is guaranteed to burst on its own (like the bottom of your foot), you are better off draining it in a controlled way rather than letting it explode inside your dirty sock.

Disclaimer: If you are diabetic or someone at high risk of foot infections, we do not recommend popping your blister.

How to Drain Your Foot Blister Safely

If you must pop your foot blister, don’t just jab it with a safety pin from your gym bag.

1. Clean everything. Wash your hands and the blister with soap and water.
2. Sterilize a needle. Use rubbing alcohol or a flame.
3. Poke a small hole near the edge of the blister, not the top. Gently press the fluid out.
4. Do not peel off the dead skin. That skin protects the raw wound. If you peel it, it will sting like crazy and get infected.
5. To keep pressure off the area, cut a hole in a piece of moleskin and place it around the blister. This raises the shoe off the sensitive spot.

Cover it with some antibiotic ointment and a bandage, and you are good to go. Keep it clean, keep it dry, and maybe rethink those shoes for tomorrow.

For advice related to any podiatric concerns you’re facing, the expert team at Syracuse Podiatry is here to help guide you. Contact us today so Dr. Ryan L. D’Amico, Dr. Donal M. Erickson, Dr. Keith Sherman, and Dr. Nicholas Cronin can elevate your foot health and help your feet feel their best.